Iran to secure its nuclear scientists

TEHRAN, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Iranian Defense Minister Ahmed Vahidi said Iran will boost security around its nuclear scientists in response to the slayings of four of them.

The Islamic Republic is planning a series of measures to protect its nuclear scientists and Vahidi's announcement is the first indicator, Yedioth Aharonoth Sunday reported.

The Hebrew language daily said Vahidi made the statements to an Iranian news agency but failed to mention which one.

Four scientists linked to Iran's nuclear program have been assassinated in the past two years, the Israeli daily said.

The latest incident occurred last month when Darioush Rezaei, a physicist who works on developing components used in nuclear weapons, was gunned down outside his home.

Ayatollah Seid Ali Khamenei told university students last week that the assassinations of the scientists is an attempt to undermine Iran's scientific development, the semi-official Fars news agency said.